Theoretical and experimental results of stepped tubes with circular cross-sections

Abstract

The present work focuses on investigating the axial crushing process of circular cross-section tubes with variable diameters using theoretical and experimental methods. In case of an impact, the energy should be consumed by the controlled deformation of the sacrificial structures. The specimens are designed as structures with the same height and have sectors with different diameters and thicknesses. Following the experimental tests, finite element analysis was performed, and the dataset was processed using Matlab. The solution generates a theoretical mean crushing force curve, including the height sectors with different diameters and the mean crushing force curves for experimental and simulation results. The methodology provides the background for a future investigation.